We had to work two hours of mandatory overtime on the day before Thanksgiving, so I went in and worked from 0600 – 1630 and left for Price immediately following work.  I arrived just shy of seven hours later safe and sound   I opted to take the car for this journey as forecast low temperatures were somewhere in the low 20′s in Price and I really don’t have the gear to deal with that sort of cold.  I don’t like driving my car anymore, but I dislike hypothermia even more

Thanksgiving went extremely well and though Cindy had to work the rest of the days I was up there, we still had a good time   I went out exploring just a bit while she was at work and made sure to bring my camera

25 November 2011 - Abandoned house near Wellington, UT

25 November 2011 - Abandoned house near Wellington, UT

25 November 2011 - Long lonely highway near Wellington, UT

25 November 2011 - Semi-frozen creek near Wellington, UT

26 November 2011 - Cool lighting near Wellington, UT but the clouds were moving in fast

25 November 2011 - Semi-frozen creek near Wellington, UT

25 November 2011 - Weather moving in from the north near Wellington, UT

 I headed out from Price toward Nine Mile Canyon, but I noticed that it was indeed extremely cold out and that clouds were moving in quite quickly.  Up just a little ways past where the creek pictures were taken the road had turned to dirt.  Putting two and two together I figured there was a halfway decent chance that I might be caught on a muddy road in a snow storm.  The HHR just ain’t set up for that, so I headed back toward Price.  Still, I think the trip was worth it if for no other reason than it got some nice pictures

26 November 2011 - Looking north from the Wedge Overlook on the San Rafael Swell

26 November 2011 - Panorama - Wedge Overlook on the San Rafael Swell

26 November 2011 - Panorama - Wedge Overlook on the San Rafael Swell

26 November 2011 - Panorama - Looking out over grazing land on the San Rafael Swell

26 November 2011 - Sunset in Price, UT

 26 November saw me set out for a nice drive in the countryside south of Price.  I’d been to all the places before, but it’s country that I really like.  Sadly, the dinosaur quarry was closed but that was OK – I had a very nice drive in the middle of nowhere   While I think the V-Star could handle the very nicely maintained dirt roads, I’m glad I had the car because it was something like 24° when I left

I had to head home on 27 November, but I’m growing to like Utah more with every trip

Happy belated Thanks giving everyone

I’ve known Kristen for quite a few years now and I met her fiance Steven the last time they were out here in Vegas.  I’d meant to go visit them “sometime” but things always got in the way.  They live out in Anza, CA which is just a little ways north of San Diego and east of Temecula.  I finally got tired of waiting, said to heck with it, and headed down on the bike

3 November 2011 - Alien Fresh Jerky in Baker, CA on the way to Anza, CA

 My first stop was in Baker, CA and I made sure to stop at Alien Fresh Jerky.  They’ve got a great theme and good jerky

The most “entertaining” part of the trip came a little ways west of Barstow, CA near Apple Valley.  I hit 60+ MPH headwinds which meant that I had to keep the throttle wide open in fourth gear just to stay running at 60 MPH myself   Of course, the “entertainment” factor continued to climb as I began to descend through the Cajon Pass.  Those headwinds became crosswinds, my speed increased to 70 MPH, and I had big rigs in the lane to my right.  The fun still wasn’t over, but I won’t go into detail about the guy who passed me on the 215 while changing lanes from my right to left and missed me by about a foot or two while going 100+ MPH

3 November 2011 - One of California's greatest drivers in Temecula, CA

 I’m glad I grew up and learned to drive in southern California because otherwise I might not know to expect things like this or just how to deal with it when it happens.  I mean really, WTF 

3 November 2011 - Sunset from beautiful Anza, CA

 This is the sky as it appeared when I finally arrived at my destination.  The ride down really wasn’t bad and it sure wasn’t boring

I traveled south on a Thursday and we had plans for Friday, but they fell through due to a bit of a storm.  Rain, wind, and sometimes snow kept us inside and watching TV most of the time.  Later on in the evening, Kristen took me out to Killarneys – an Irish pub – where I found out about Magners hard cider (AWESOME ) and had some great bangers and mash   We headed over to Steven’s work and hung out for a bit before heading back.  We all had a great time and I look forward to visiting again before too long

5 November 2011 - Kristen and Steven's place

5 November 2011 - Yeah, I didn't think the V-Star would make it out on this mud either

 I really liked my stay with Kristen and Steven, but I hope it doesn’t rain next time.  You see, my V-Star is a heavy bike and it’s not made for mud.  I know it’s not a dirt bike, either but did great on the dry dirt on the way in.  The driveway and access road had become slicker than a politician at election time during the rain and I was gonna need some help to get the bike out.

5 November 2011 - Many thanks to Steven's brother Adam for helping out with Kristen's truck

5 November 2011 - How about that mud?

5 November 2011 - Panorama - We finally got the bike unloaded!

 Thankfully, Kristen left her truck when she went to work and Adam – one of Steven’s brothers – helped me get it into and out of the bed of that 4×4   I was running a bit later than I’d hoped, but I was truly grateful for the help and happy to be on my way

5 November 2011 - The odometer turned over 14,000 miles on the way home

 I’ve put quite a few miles on the bike and I have no plans to change that in the future

5 November 2011 - My V-Star 650 at the March Field Air Museum

5 November 2011 - AT-6 Texan at the March Field Air Museum

5 November 2011 - I do love the F-14 Tomcat

5 November 2011 - D-12 reconnaissance drone and engine

 It just so happens that the March Field Air Museum is on the way home from Kristen’s   Aside from having a nice, clean restroom they also have a very nice gift shop   The rest of the trip home was pretty much just going the speed limit on the I-15 with a couple of stops for gas.  I finally made it home right as the sun went down.  There were times when I was rather cold and it wasn’t all perfection, but I had a great time anyway

Have fun everyone

———————

Oh well, whatchagonnado ?  I think I’ll get some pictures posted

12 November 2011 - Yes, I did ride my motorcycle to the air show

 One difference in 2011 from past years was taking my V-Star to the airshow.  I knew this might limit my shopping options, but I’d much rather be on the bike than in the car 99.9% of the time.  Funny thing – motorcycle riding is one of the closest experiences that I’ve found to flying that I can actually afford.  Leaning in the corners is very similar and addictive

12 November 2011 - Just off the bus and heading onto the flight line

 The first sight that greeted us as we left the bus was this C-5 Galaxy – gotta love those big planes

12 November 2011 - They were giving tours of the E-3 Sentry AWACS jet!

12 November 2011 - E-3 Sentry AWACS

12 November 2011 - View from the rear hatch of the E-3 Sentry AWACS

 I’ve often seen the doors open for tours on these E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) jets, but there’s always been too long of a line for my interest to override my dislike of standing in line.  Thankfully, there was no line during the Saturday airshow so I jumped at the chance   Sorry there are no pictures of the inside, but they don’t usually want you to take pics in the airplanes and I didn’t want to ask.  Just watch the first Transformers movie – they’ve got part of the movie filmed in this type of jet

12 November 2011 - The Cold War Air Museum brought their Mi-24 Hind!

12 November 2011 - Pilot's cockpit on the Mi-24 Hind

12 November 2011 - Gunner's cockpit on the Mi-24 Hind

 Long time readers will remember that I’ve actually sat in a helicopter like this a few years ago.  That one was at the Nellis AFB Threat Training Facility and is not in flying condition, but it was rather cool to see something from the Cold War and all so close.

This Mi-24 Hind attack and transport helicopter is a flying example and it’s in private hands   The Cold War Air Museum is also working on making another one of these fine machines airworthy as well as a MiG-23 and some other cool stuff   Be sure to go check out their website – click here

12 November 2011 - Flare dispenser aboard the Mi-24 Hind

12 November 2011 - Information about the Mi-24 Hind

 Something I wanted to point out about this aircraft were these blue sticks under the tail boom.  Those are flare launchers used to decoy heat seeking missiles – especially the shoulder fired variety.  They were fitted in a rather hasty fashion right about the time the U.S. started sending Stinger missiles to the rebels in Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation.  The guys at the CWAM call them the Charlie Wilson Memorial Flare Launchers

12 November 2011 - A6M2 Zero and B-25 from the CAF firing up the engines

12 November 2011 - T-33 'Ace Maker' returned to thrill the crowds

 One of the things I love about Aviation Nation at Nellis AFB is that they make every effort to have as many planes available for close inspection as possible.  One of the ways they do this is by having the “hot pits” with most of the airplanes which will be flying open to the public while they aren’t actually being flown or run.   Here we have the B-25 Mitchell bomber “Heavenly Body” firing up the engines and the T-33 Shooting Star “Ace Maker.”  I think the pic of Heavenly Body shows nicely how good the vantage points are even when you’re not in the enclosure with the aircraft

12 November 2011 - A military skydiver brings in the Colors during the National Anthem

 The National Anthem was performed by the cast of the Las Vegas show “Jersey Boys” and was a spectacular performance as well!  Having this skydiver bring in the Colors was a great sight as well

12 November 2011 - Lots of great airplanes at Aviation Nation 2011

 Now, there’s something you don’t see every day – A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber on the ground and the Thunderbirds all in one picture

12 November 2011 - WWII AT-6 Texan flying by

12 November 2011 - B-25 Mitchell on a bomb run over the airfield

12 November 2011 - Twin beech screaming down the runway

 The weather was beautiful and the backdrop wonderful as well as the first of the demonstrations got underway with the WWII aircraft taking turns “attacking” the runway for our enjoyment.

12 November 2011 - F-86 Sabre from Planes of Fame

12 November 2011 - MiG-15 from Planes of Fame

 The two best known rivals from the Korean War were in attendance as well.  Once again, the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, CA sent over a communist MiG-15 (this time in North Korean markings!) and a gorgeous F-86 Sabre.  Both are superb examples in lovely condition and they flew beautifully as well

12 November 2011 - C-17 Globemaster III on takeoff

12 November 2011 - C-17 Globemaster III flyby during its demo

12 November 2011 - C-17 Globemaster III over the B-52 Stratofortress

 At least one of my readers is a big fan of the C-17 Globemaster III so I made sure to take some pictures of that aircraft during its demonstration.  Hope you like these, Kath

12 November 2011 - Cessna A-37 Dragonfly

12 November 2011 - Info on the Cessna A-37 Dragonfly

 I’ve known about the A-37 Dragonfly for quite a few years and talked with a few who’ve flown them in combat.  They’re great jets in many ways and it’s a shame there’s not more of them in private hands.

12 November 2011 - Tuskegee Airmen memorial P-51 Mustang and exhibit

 The Commemorative Air Force has a very nice P-51 all done up in the colors of the Tuskegee Airmen of WWII.  As most people know, the Tuskegee Airmen were the first black pilots to fly into combat in the United States Army Air Corps and they had a stellar record.  White bomber crews initially shunned these pilots, but their aerial combat feats eventually led to their being requested.  That’s how this particular airplane got it’s name – it’s known as “By Request”

12 November 2011 - USAF Heritage Flight

 I managed to meet up with my good friends Connie May, T.D. Barnes, and his lovely wife Doris a bit later in the day.  It was good to see them all again and we enjoyed the afternoon immensely   I wasn’t in the perfect place to take pics all the time, but I think this one came out pretty nice

12 November 2011 - USAF Thunderbirds diamond 2011

12 November 2011 - USAF Thunderbirds solo over the Thunderbirds T-38

12 November 2011 - USAF Thunderbirds

I didn’t get too many pics of the Thunderbirds, but I did get a few that I’m happy to post

12 November 2011 - The mighty F-16 Viper on static display

 Another thing I love about Nellis AFB is the backdrop afforded by Sunrise Mountain.  It works rather well with jets like this F-16, don’t you think?

12 November 2011 - Yours truly with a B-2 Spirit

 Who wouldn’t be happy to have their picture taken with a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber

12 November 2011 - Mitsubishi A6M Zero

12 November 2011 - Mitsubishi A6M Zero

 I’ve seen many rare aircraft at Aviation Nation over the years and this Zero has been a repeated visitor.  It’s the real deal, but has an American engine.  The only one flying with the correct Japanese engine is at the Planes of Fame museum in Chino, CA and they don’t fly it very often due to wear and tear.  Even with an “incorrect” engine, I’m glad to see this one out flying for the crowd

12 November 2011 - B-25 Mitchell tail guns

 These tail guns on the B-25 Mitchell “Heavenly Body” aren’t real, but something tells me that installing the right ones wouldn’t take much time and would provide some very fun times

12 November 2011 - Cool NASA helmet on the canopy rail of a NASA T-38 Talon

 NASA jets have visited Aviation Nation several times in past years, but this one had the canopy open and a seriously über-cool NASA helmet on the rail and I couldn’t pass up taking a pic

12 November 2011 - Planes of Fame F-86 Sabre

 I wanted to get this picture right and I did!  I just love the way the canopy bends the light and shows both Sunrise Mountain and the sky

12 November 2011 - Awesome nose art on this B-52 Stratofortress!

 Wagering that this particular jet has put warheads on foreheads in repayment for the events of September 11, 2001 would likely be a very safe bet.

12 November 2011 - B-1B Lancer AKA 'The Bone' in the evening light

 You always get the best lighting on the static displays when the sun gets down toward the horizon.

12 November 2011 - SBD Dauntless WWII Navy dive bomber

12 November 2011 - T-45 Goshawk

 Y’all didn’t think I’d leave the Navy out of this post, did ya

12 November 2011 - Wonderful light at the end of the evening

Just look at the light on the mountains in the distance and those wonderful airplanes

12 November 2011 - NASA T-38 Talon

 Gotta love the way this T-38 looked in the encroaching darkness

And now it’s on to the panoramas   I decided to keep them separate for convenience sake – it’s easier than trying to get them to fit into the order of the rest of the pictures.

12 November 2011 - Panorama - B-2 Spirit

12 November 2011 - Panorama - I got artistic with the B-2

12 November 2011 - Panorama - B-2 Spirit enjoying the limelight

 I know I keep gushing over the B-2, but it’s just so rare to have one on static display and it is so very photogenic   The artsy pic was the result of having a truly horrific picture that I thought provided an opportunity to play around with.  What do you think?

12 November 2011 - Panorama - The Patriots civilian jet demonstration team

 The Patriots jet demonstration team is a civilian endeavour which is sponsored by Fry’s electronics and they really are very good.  They normally perform with six jets but for some reason only five made it to Aviation Nation this year.  I’m just glad I got to see them fly

12 November 2011 - Panorama - Planes of Fame F-86 Sabre in the evening light

12 November 2011 - Panorama - T-33 'Ace Maker'

12 November 2011 - Panorama - The mighty F-4 Phantom II

12 November 2011 - Panorama - F-4 Phantom cockpit detail

12 November 2011 - Panorama - B-25 Mitchell 'Heavenly Body' nose art

 The evening light proved great as always back down at the hot pits   I had a great day all around with very few exceptions and was happy I took the time to go as always

That’s all for this post, but this is only the pics from Saturday – there’s more from Sunday that I’m working on posting as well   Have a great day and I’ll see y’all again soon

Life’s been a bit busy and tiring as usual, but I wanted to finally get a couple of posts published for a change

The Road Runners Internationale are a special group of people.  They’re the men who built the base at Groom Dry Lake, the reconnaissance aircraft that gave the U.S. the edge in the Cold War, the pilots who flew them, and the families who supported them.  Some of the programs were more tightly held secrets than the atomic bomb was in WWII and have only recently begun to be declassified.

I met T.D. Barnes and first learned about the Road Runners  at Aviation Nation 2004 – my first trip to Nellis Air Force Base for an airshow.  Over time we chatted via email and I was honored to be invited to join as an associate member.  Reunions are held every two years and I sadly missed the last one.  I wasn’t going to miss this one

5 October 2011 - Yours truly at the Black Mailbox

5 October 2011 - Roadrunners and friends at the Black Mailbox

5 October 2011 - About to mail a letter to the aliens

5 October 2011 - Panorama - Mailbox Road

5 October 2011 - Panorama - The Black Mailbox on the Extraterrestrial Highway

 Every reunion, the Road Runners have a field trip somewhere nearby.  This is the first time I’ve managed to clear time to go on one   Past field trips have gone to the Nevada Test Site where T.D. used to help test nuclear weapons and to Creech Air Force Base where the U.S. Air Force bases most of the Predator and Reaper UAVs which have been so effective in the wars overseas.  This year was a bit different.

We all got together in a convoy and headed north from Las Vegas, then onto Highway 93 north, and then west on the Extraterrestrial Highway.  We made a couple of stops along the way including the one in the pictures above at the Black Mailbox.  Long time readers will likely remember seeing pictures of this place before from back when I first got my HHR.  It was along again due to the need to help carry people to our destination for the day.  Yes, even in the cold and rain, I’d rather have been on my bike – just as long as I had the right gear   Still, the trip was well worth it especially with a couple of Canadians and a couple of Russians along as passengers

5 October 2011 - Down at the Little A'Le'Inn

5 October 2011 - A small view inside the Little A'Le'Inn

The 2011 Road Runners field trip was to the closest bit of civilization you can find near Groom Dry Lake.  That place is Rachel, NV and it is very small, indeed.  The largest business in Rachel is the Little A’Le’Inn    OK, I’ve never seen any UFOs out there, but the place is pretty cool

5 October 2011 - Panorama - Looking southeast from the Little A'Le'Inn

5 October 2011 - Panorama - Looking east from the Little A'Le'Inn

 As you can see from these pictures, the Little A’Le’Inn is rather remote and in that sense is similar to Groom Dry Lake.

5 October 2011 - Mining history in the Groom Lake area

 There were prior attempts at making use of the area before the Air Force showed up in the early 1950′s, but they didn’t quite pan out.  I can only imagine the tough life that those early miners lead out in the southern Nevada desert.

5 October 2011 - The Roadrunners Internationale and friends at the Little A'Le'Inn

 Inside the Little A’Le’Inn, people were packed in like sardines in a tin. Everyone enjoyed the great camaraderie, delicious food, and superb hospitality of the owners and staff

It’s amazing to me that this event even happened.  T.D. and several of the Road Runners also commented that even a few years ago, they never could have imagined that they would be at a place like the Little A’Le’Inn which is so close to Groom Dry Lake, packed in with friends, family, and news media, accompanied by the Central Intelligence Agency’s gift shop staff.  The novelty still remains when telling the stories about some of their formerly secret projects.  I still can’t believe I get to be in the middle of it all and I get to talk to the people who developed the planes I never thought I’d be allowed to know much about.  This was a truly great day

5 October 2011 - Joerg Arnu at the podium in the Road Runners' command post!

 Joerg Arnu is the webmaster for Dreamland Resort and the Road Runners’ websites.  Originally from Germany, Joerg knows more about the Nellis Range than I’ve ever thought to ask.  This trip was his doing and I commend him for managing to organize such a great day   He’s also one of those strange people who thinks that the best way to go down a road on a beautiful day involves two cylinders, two wheels, and leaning in corners   Yeah, we’ll probably go for a ride together sometime before too long

5 October 2011 - Panorama - Groom Lake Road in the diffused storm light

I took the photos that became this panorama on the way back to Las Vegas from the Little A’Le’Inn.  That road you see off in the distance is Groom Lake Road.  That is the road that leads to a place I’d love to visit someday, but which I will likely never reach.  It’s the road to Paradaise Ranch, AKA Watertown, AKA Dreamland, AKA Area 51.  It’s the place where the U-2, A-12, SR-71, and many other very special aircraft were developed.  Work still continues to this day on aircraft development and flight test out at Groom Dry Lake.

I don’t know what’s going on at that secret spot in the desert and I know it’s for the best that I don’t as I don’t have the need to know.  In the end, I’m just glad I’ve had the chance to meet the people who made history there in the past and that’s enough for me

Thank you, Road Runners, for all you’ve done for your country in the past and for all you continue to do to educate the rest of us today

September 11, 2001 was a horrible day that I’ll never forget.  I’ve written about it a few times (use the search function on the upper right to find all the posts), but the original one with my best account of my experience that day is here.  I don’t know really what more there is to say about it that I haven’t already said.  Instead, I’m going to focus on today for the most part.  The day started with a shoot out in the desert and due to the dirt road, I was in the car for a change.  I’ve done a bit of dirt road and gravel on the V-Star, but I don’t know that I’ll ever take it to this place.

11 September 2011 - Scattering our friend Christina's ashes the way she wanted

 Before anyone thinks differently, this was not my idea!  Christina was a member of Nevada Shooters, a gunsmith, had worked construction, and loved tinkering with mechanical things like cars.  We were sad to learn that she’d passed away earlier this year due to brain cancer.  I hadn’t been too close to Christina but I remember that she was extremely nice, always helpful, and a great person to have around at our shoots.

The way I understand it, she’d wanted to go out with a bang and to have her ashes scattered over a gun range.  After her sister said a few words, her wish was granted.  Her ashes were placed on a fairly substantial charge of tannerite which was then set off by a .50 caliber rifle bullet   That smoke you see by the mountain is the aftermath of the shot and I think she would have truly loved it

I made sure to stop and chat with Christina’s sister a little while later.  Christina had owned a gun store in El Cajon, CA near San Diego and we’d discussed San Diego quite a bit.  I may not have known her all that well, but I knew her well enough and will miss her.  I explained this and I hope I gave her sister a little more support during a very tough time.

Godspeed, Christina and may you rest in peace.

11 September 2011 - Stopped in Red Rock Canyon

 Some of the people from the shoot went to Dean’s Place (a local Italian restaurant which is very friendly with the gun community) to eat and chat over truly good food.  I considered going, but I was getting rather tired again and still wanted to get in a bit of a ride to settle my mind.  September 11 has always been a day for remembrance and introspection for me, but Christina’s memorial shoot added a bit more than usual.

I got home, checked the weather on the computer, swapped flip flops for boots, and headed out on the bike.  I didn’t have anything in mind except going for a ride through Red Rock and getting a pic of my bike with the September 11 memorial decal on the saddle bag.  I met back up with a guy named Nick I’d met before out there and we talked for quite a while about all sorts of stuff.  He’s just gotten into riding with his first motorcycle as well.  I don’t want to spoil the future fun and tell everything about it right now, but I will say that it’s a Harley

11 September 2011 - Panorama - Storm clouds and rain in Red Rock Canyon

11 September 2011 - Panorama - More storm clouds and rain in Red Rock Canyon

11 September 2011 - Panorama - Half of the clouds in sunset, the others still in sunlight

11 September 2011 - Panorama - Golden light filtering through the broken clouds

11 September 2011 - Panorama - Sunset glowing on a few of the clouds

11 September 2011 - Panorama - Clouds glowing from within as sunset illuminates their tops

11 September 2011 - Panorama - Sunset illuminating a cloud like a smouldering coal in a campfire

11 September 2011 - Panorama - Last light of day on the highest clouds

It’s getting late and not only do I have to work tomorrow, but we’re all working ten hour shifts instead of eight so I’m going to wrap this post up fairly quickly   Our weather her in Fabulous Las Vegas has been a bit mixed this past week.  We’ve had a few thunderstorms lately and the temperatures are coming back down into the reasonable (under 100°) range.  Tonight the atmosphere was rather more unsettled than usual.  We only got a few drops in Red Rock, but I got a decent light show a bit later from a thunderstorm over by Lake Mead on my way home   Oh yeah – We also got some broken clouds that indicated a very cool sunset might present itself

I think the pictures came out fairly well considering I went handheld for all the pics   One of these days I’ll remember that I have tripods in the one of my saddle bags   In any case, I hope you like ‘em

In closing, let’s remember those who’ve sacrificed for us and those who continue to do so today.  I’m going to remember them and my thanks will always go out to them.  Here’s hoping it all gets better from here   Have a great week, everyone